The start to the 2013 Challenge Cup final couldn’t have been more of a false dawn for Hull FC.

Wigan Warriors star Pat Richards, one of the best kickers in the game at the time, booted the ball dead straight from the kick-off, something which was met with cheers from the Old Faithful as pre-match nerves were put to one side.

But as we know now the Black and Whites were not celebrating when the final whilst blew.

It took 20 minutes before a try was scored when Iain Thornley benefited from Ben Crooks darting out of the line and a poor attempted tackle from Danny Tickle.

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There was still another man to beat but Danny Houghton would have to wait three more years to pull off a miraculous tackle as he was easily beaten by Thornley for the score.

The lack of desire on that particular play was clear. If there is one major lesson to learn from that day it’s working hard for each other, qualities we already know Hull have in abundance after last year’s heroic efforts during the win over Warrington Wolves.

On that try half-back Daniel Holdsworth was seen tracking back like the final didn’t mean a great deal to him, whilst when Thornley actually touched down, winger Jason Crookes had his left foot in touch five metres away from the action as he looked almost afraid to get involved.

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FC trailed 6-0 at the break, just like they did last year, but rather than see the opposition miss an attempted penalty goal early in the second period, back in 2013 Wigan took full advantage as Richard tucked it away.

Then Jamie Shaul had his nearly moment. After collecting Matty Smith’s grubber kick close to his own try-line, the full-back weaved his way through several Wigan defenders and shot up field only for Josh Charnley to catch him and dislodge the ball inside the Warriors’ 20. In many ways that moment summed up the disappointing afternoon. Missed opportunities and plenty of dropped ball.

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Those mistakes are one of the key things to learn from the defeat four years ago. Fatigue massively set in during the back end of that game and FC can ill-afford to offer the Warriors the same amount of good ball. That fatigue set in on Aaron Heremaia in particular on the hour mark, with the diminutive hooker upending Sean O’Loughlin. Another Richards’ penalty kick later and Wigan led 10-0.

“That was how not to approach a Challenge Cup final. We had a meeting the night before and we all went and talked about what it would mean to win the trophy,” Radford told the Mail this week in preparation for the 2017 final.

“The desire wasn’t there. Some players massively played it down leading into the game and some were like a rabbit in headlights on gameday.

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“Mentally I just don’t think the players were ready for it. The chemistry of the team was hindered by that. I can see the hunger in the eyes this time. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see it means an awful lot to this group.”